The South

Although the southern parts of the city might not have the luxuries of the north or the down town vibe of the east, but these suburbs still have their own sort of charm. Here small neighborhood owned shops often run rampant, individuals often know each other by first name. The west is a quaint, quiet part of town. It's the sort of place where children can be seen playing safely on the sidewalks and clamoring in the park. On the weekends in the families often take to the beach to enjoy the warm waters that surround the city.

What's You'll Find Here

Beachside Bar & Bistro

Beachside Bar & Bistro

Resting right on the beach near the small, locally owned shops and markets sits a bar and bistro with an elegant yet modern interior. There is seating both indoors and outdoors on the back patio where one can enjoy the melodic sounds of saltwater waves and fresh air. The menu consists of French dishes alongside American and Seafood choices and a wide range of liquors at the bar inside to accommodate the varied tastes and cravings of its customers. It is a charming little establishment that allows for those needing a break from the busy city streets to come and unwind.

Hyde Park

Hyde Park

Hyde Place takes up a large part of the Southern side of the city and includes a large playground, several fountains, and a small garden. The park is open from five in the morning till midnight though many shady characters may visit this place while it's technically "closed". The park has also been a venue for several concerts and hosts many holiday related events. Under a full moon, witches are often seen here for the sacred ground beneath the iconic Weeping Beech.

The Outskirts

The Outskirts

Beyond the city limits and over the bridge lies the deep, dark, and almost impenetrable forest. Often times seen as a way to guard this magical city from the world that surrounds it, many are entirely ignorant of the evil that may creep between those tree trunks. Many were-creatures use the forest for the transformations of their newest members and some even take to hunting here. It isn't particularly peculiar for people to go missing within this forest but once you get through, the rest of the world awaits.

Ain't life just awful strange192.206.23.249Posted On January 19, 2018 at 10:14 AM by Gia Jones

a new world hangs outside the window beautiful and strangeit must be I've fallen awakeI must be

Leslie: "There's a reason you're not answering my calls and only responding sometimes with these vague, but cryptic texts."

Gia grabbed her to-go coffee from the bar and plopped down into a barstool not far from the cool window and read her sister's message. The bubbles kept appearing, meaning Leslie was still typing, then disappearing. Repeat. Repeat.

Leslie: "Listen, I love you. And I want you to know that I'm here for you, even though I'm hundreds of miles away. Please don't ever feel alone, k? Not like last time. I can come home for a little while."

The thin dark hunter dropped her phone onto the bartop and pusher the palms of her hands into her eyes and forehead. She breathed a heavy sigh, allowing the weight of her head to fall into her hands, and the red-skinned elbows that pressed into the tabletop. There was no fooling her sister, Buffy knew. The blunt and honest message set off a strange emotional response in the otherwise hard-as-nails dark hunter, and she did her best to quietly stifle the tears that threatened to spill and the tightness in her throat that told her to wail. She breathed a heavy sigh for a second time and finally looked down at her phone again.

Luckily the flock of mothers from yoga class were too distracted with their own gossip, the topic of Buffy herself having waned several minutes ago, to notice how emotionally wrecked she looked.

Gia: "I love you too, kid. I'm okay, really. Just dealing with these feelings, you know, when they bubble up. It's been a rough patch these last couple of weeks but I'm coming out of it. Thanks for always checking in on me."

She fired back, rubbing her wet eyes now with one balled up fist. Buffy reached for the warmth of her paper coffee cup now, breathing deeply like they taught her in yoga, to calm her mind and worried thoughts. Her dark brown eyes drifted to the scene outside the cold glass cafe window. Despite the early hour, it was still dark as night outside. The damp streets were quiet, except for the silhouette of a man making his way toward the well-lit cafe. Her phone buzzed again. Buffy's eyes diverted to the illuminated screen, missing the man as he thrust open the door to the cafe.

Leslie: "You are the strongest person I know. But you still are a stubborn shithead."

The weakest of smirks cracked her lips.

Per usual, she recognized his voice before his face. Buffy's attention was still very much on her text thread when she heard him speak over her shoulder. Goosebumps pimpled her arms and her stomach dropped low into her gut. She turned slowly to see him standing there, looking nonchalantly casual but friendly per usual. She tried to force her apprehensive, unsure look into something more welcoming, but it came out awkward and somewhat goofy. "Hey." She managed to squeak out hoarsely. When he notes her appearance, she bobs her head before her glare shoots down to her feet. "Well I'm no longer half-dead, if that's what you mean." She says with a snicker. It was rare that she socialized with anyone, ever, let alone when she was in her yoga pants. Her draping Misfits T-shirt tucked out from the edges of her thin maroon hoodie. But she still looked like a yuppie in her Nikes and with the yoga mat strapped over one shoulder. "You make it a habit of visiting the suburbs now?"

Buffy had vague memories of the end of that dreadful night, when she clutched to Sebastian's jacket and cried her way home. She found comfort in his arms, and later in his company as she drifted off to sleep on her own mattress, in the safety of her own home, because of him. She remembers trying to thank him, but is embarrassed to know it probably wasn't enough. After all that he did for her. But that act, it was changing everything she thought she knew. Buffy felt guilty for misreading and misjudging the vampire. But the stubborn part of her still worried it was a trick. Jason had so thoroughly fucked up her mind, and her hunter-like instincts still screamed 'danger' when she was near Sebastian. But she was beginning to get past that. She wasn't fearful and she wasn't angry. "It's good to see you again."

Buffy had been dreading this day, of seeing Sebastian for the first time after what had happened. The anxiety about it literally kept her up at night. But now that it was happening, she didn't feel so anxious or foolish as she thought she would. She offered him a simple smile before slugging him gently in the arm. "Jesus, if I see your picture in one more magazine... How is the blissful engagement, anyway?"